ap psych personality

1. Nature versus nurture has been a longstanding debate in psychology, as it examines how biology and environment interact to shape human behavior. Both elements contribute significantly, but studies suggest that complex behaviors often arise from a blend rather than one being more dominant than the other.

2. Behaviors and mental processes can be both individual and universal, as certain psychological principles apply broadly across cultures while individual experiences shape unique responses. Understanding these distinctions can help in developing more effective psychological interventions.

3. Knowledge of fundamental mental health concepts can greatly enhance decision-making by providing individuals with tools to understand their emotions and behaviors. Being informed can lead to healthier choices and improved coping strategies in difficult situations.

Traits Theory AP4.5.B

1. Gordon Allport:

   • A psychologist emphasizing individual uniqueness and understanding personality traits.

   • Example: Analyzing consistent optimism in a person to understand trait influence on behavior.

2. Hans Eysenck:

   • Psychologist known for a three-dimensional theory of personality: psychoticism, extraversion, neuroticism.

   • Example: High extraversion suggests a propensity for social interaction and energy from engagement.

3. Hippocrates:

   • Ancient Greek physician proposing personality traits relate to bodily fluids (humors).

   • Example: A predominance of blood results in a sanguine personality (sociable and carefree).

4. “Big Five” Factor Model (CANOE):

   • Model identifying five personality traits: Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, Neuroticism, Openness, Extraversion.

   • Example: An organized, reliable employee may score high in conscientiousness.

5. Objective Personality Tests:

   • Structured assessments using standardized techniques for evaluating personality traits.

   • Example: MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) for assessing psychological disorders.

6. MMPI / MMPI-2:

   • A standardized psychometric test for assessing personality structure and psychopathology.

   • Example: Used to help diagnose mental health disorders and plan treatment.

7. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI):

   • Personality assessment based on Carl Jung's types, categorizing into 16 personality types.

   • Example: An INFJ may prefer independent work focused on deeper meanings.

8. CPI (California Psychological Inventory):

   • Personality inventory assessing interpersonal behavior and social interaction.

   • Example: Used in organizations to understand team interactions.

9. Personality Inventory:

   • Self-report questionnaire revealing aspects of an individual's character.

   • Example: The 16PF helps gain insight into personal strengths.

10. Factor Analysis:

    • Statistical method identifying patterns in data for personality research.

    • Example: Used to determine relationships between different personality aspects.

Humanistic Theory AP4.4.B

1. Carl Rogers:

   • Psychologist who developed Unconditional Positive Regard in client-centered therapy.

   • Example: Allowing clients to express true feelings without judgment.

2. Unconditional Positive Regard:

   • Valuing a person without conditions attached.

   • Example: Parents loving children unconditionally regardless of behavior.

3. Conditional Positive Regard:

   • Acceptance dependent on meeting certain conditions.

   • Example: Praising a child only for good grades, leading to internalized worth conditions.

4. Self-actualization:

   • Realization of one's talents and potential as a personal development goal.

   • Example: An artist pursuing their passion for full creative potential.

Identity AP3.6.A

1. Identity Status Categories (Marcia):

   • Categories describing adolescents' identity development: Diffusion, Moratorium, Foreclosure, Achievement.

   • Example: A teen exploring various career options reflects Moratorium status.

2. Diffusion:

   • Individuals with no commitments to their identity.

   • Example: A young adult unsure about their future and exploring options.

3. Moratorium:

   • Active exploration and questioning of identity.

   • Example: College students sampling different majors.

4. Foreclosure:

   • Commitment to an identity without exploration of alternatives.

   • Example: Aligning with parents' career expectations without personal consideration.

5. Achievement:

   • Identity status after exploration and commitment.

   • Example: Choosing a specific career path after careful research.

6. Erikson’s Stages:

   • Theory proposing eight psychosocial stages with a central conflict.

   • Example: Adolescence features identity vs. role confusion crisis.

Social Cognitive AP4.5.A

1. B. F. Skinner:

   • Behaviorist who developed operant conditioning theory focused on reinforcement.

   • Example: Reward systems in classrooms to promote positive behavior.

2. Albert Bandura:

   • Psychologist known for social learning theory emphasizing learning through observation.

   • Example: Children acquire social skills by observing peers.

3. Reciprocal determinism:

   • Interaction of personal, behavior, and environmental factors shaping behavior.

   • Example: Academic ability belief influences study habits affecting environment.

4. Internal/External locus of control (Julian Rotter):

   • Describes individuals' belief in controlling affected events.

   • Example: Internal locus attributes success to efforts; external locus blames luck.

5. Attribution theory (Heider):

   • Theory on inferring causes of behaviors.

   • Example: Attributing poor grades to effort (internal) or test difficulty (external).

6. Dispositional Attribution:

   • Attributing behavior to inherent individual traits.

   • Example: Assuming aggression is personality-based rather than situational.

7. Situational Attribution:

   • Attributing behavior to external factors.

   • Example: Believing rudeness is due to stress.

8. Fundamental Attribution Error:

   • Overemphasizing personality traits while underestimating situational factors.

   • Example: Labeling someone lazy without understanding personal challenges.

9. Learned helplessness (Seligman):

   • Feeling unable to control environment after repeated failures.

   • Example: A dog not trying to escape after multiple shocks in an experiment.

10. Spotlight effect:

    • Belief of being noticed more than one actually is.

    • Example: A teenager self-conscious about a pimple feels everyone is focused on it.

11. Self-Concept:

    • Overall perception and understanding of oneself.

    • Example: Viewing oneself as friendly based on interactions.

12. Self-Efficacy:

    • Belief in one's abilities to succeed in specific situations.

    • Example: A student confident about passing an exam based on study habits.

13. Self-esteem:

    • Sense of personal worth and value.

    • Example: High self-esteem leads to confidence; low self-esteem may cause inadequacy.

14. Self-serving bias:

    • Attributing successes to oneself and failures to external factors.

    • Example: Owning success at work but blaming coworkers for failures.

15. Individualist vs. Collectivist Cultures:

    • Individualist cultures prioritize personal goals; collectivist cultures prioritize group goals.

    • Example: In individualist cultures, personal achievement is sought; in collectivist, focus is on family success.

Psychoanalytic AP4.4.A

1. Sigmund Freud:

   • Founder of psychoanalysis, treating psychopathology through dialogue between patient and analyst.

   • Example: Analyzing dreams to uncover unconscious desires.

2. Conscious:

   • The mind's part holding currently aware thoughts and perceptions.

   • Example: Discussing experiences and feelings with a friend.

3. Unconscious:

   • Part of the mind inaccessible to consciousness but influencing behavior and emotions.

   • Example: Repressing memories of trauma without realization.

4. Id (Pleasure Principle):

   • Psyche part containing basic instinctual drives, operating on pleasure.

   • Example: An infant crying for immediate gratification when hungry.

5. Ego (Reality Principle):

   • Rational psyche part mediating between id and reality, satisfying desires acceptably.

   • Example: Delaying gratification for lunchtime.

6. Superego (Moral Principle):

   • Ethical personality component providing moral standards.

   • Example: Feeling guilt for lying due to moral beliefs.

7. Free Association:

   • Psychoanalytic technique allowing free speech to reveal unconscious thoughts.

   • Example: Sharing any thoughts during therapy.

8. Defense Mechanisms:

   • Psychological strategies coping with reality and self-image.

   • Example: Denial coping with breakup pain.

9. Repression:

   • Defense mechanism burying uncomfortable thoughts in the unconscious.

   • Example: Forgetting painful childhood memories.

10. Regression:

    • Defense mechanism reverting to earlier development stages under stress.

    • Example: Adults throwing tantrums during challenges.

11. Reaction Formation:

    • Defense mechanism behaving oppositely to true feelings.

    • Example: Excessively friendly behavior towards dislike.

12. Projection:

    • Defense mechanism attributing one's feelings onto others.

    • Example: Accusing an angry partner of being angry.

13. Rationalization:

    • Defense mechanism providing logical reasons over true emotional reasons.

    • Example: Justifying an exam cheat by claiming it's common.

14. Displacement:

    • Defense mechanism redirecting emotions to a safer target.

    • Example: Taking out work anger on family.

15. Denial:

    • Refusal to accept reality, blocking external events from awareness.

    • Example: An alcoholic denying their problem.

16. Sublimation:

    • Defense mechanism transforming negative urges into positive actions.

    • Example: Channeling aggression into sports.

17. Projective Personality Tests:

    • Tests using ambiguous stimuli to evoke personality responses.

    • Example: The Rorschach Inkblot Test revealing unconscious thoughts.

18. Rorschach Inkblot Test:

    • Projective test with inkblots for personality and emotional analysis.

    • Example: Analyzing thought processes through inkblot interpretations.

19. Thematic Apperception Test (TAT):

    • Projective test involving storytelling based on ambiguous images.

    • Example: Creating stories about scenes to uncover motives and feelings.